Wynter Holden

Mesa's Evermore Nevermore to Close in December

​In 2009, Bob and Debbie Leeper brought their geeky sensibilities and steampunk addictions to Mesa and set up Evermore Nevermore at 127 W. Main Street on Halloween night. Two years later, they've decided to close up shop. "It is with gut-wrenching sadness and overwhelming regre ... More >>

Five Favorite Mexican Restaurants in Phoenix

America's Taco Shop -- mmm. ​Talk about a tough choice. There's no way to offer up the whole enchilada in one post when it comes to Valley Mexican restaurants -- but here's a start. What's your fave? Tell us in the comments. Here are five of ours. 1. America's Taco ShopWe've sampled nearl ... More >>

Five Favorite Curry Dishes in Metro Phoenix

Wynter Holden Yellow curry with chicken at Yupha. ​We're not trying curry favor or anything, but we feel compelled to share with you a few of Chow Bella's favorite curry dishes in the Valley. Some of our choices are Thai, others Indian. All are divine. Have some faves of your own? Do return ... More >>

April 2011 Restaurant Openings and Closings

Wynter Holden Churn loves you​As we say goodbye to a beautiful April, let's take one last look at the new restaurants she left us with and the few that she took with her. Restaurants (and other Food-Related Establishments) That Opened in April 2011 Jesse James Ice Cream Parlor, North Phoeni ... More >>

Quick PHX 2011: Collector's Edition

No V-Day Reso? D.I.Y. Dinner Ideas for Tonight

Who needs to leave the house? You can make these scrumptious crepes yourself.​I hate to break it to you, love birds, but it you weren't an early bird this year, you might have a tough time getting a last minute dinner reservation for Valentine's Day. I've heard that some local hot spots hav ... More >>

2011 Top Food Trends: Home Cookin'

flickr.com/creative commons/Daniel Semper​ Last week local chefs shared restaurant predictions with Michele Laudig, and Wynter Holden mused about her high hopes for Steampunk cooking to trend in 2011. Taking a look closer to hearth and home, here are trends we think will influence the way we garde ... More >>

Cookie Showdown: And the Winner Is . . .

​The Chow Bella team came out in force for our latest food showdown, this time a battle of holiday cookie recipes. Thank goodness somebody showed up with a gallon of milk! I had an entire plate filled with all kinds of baked treats, and somehow I had to taste through them all and pick a winne ... More >>

2010 Redux: Best Food Battles

All photos by Wynter Holden except #3 by Jonathan McNamara.​As we bid farewell to the year and look ahead to 2011, for the next two weeks Chow Bella contributors will bring you some greatest hits from 2010. We've already highlighted Carol Blonder's most memorable food-related books. Today, ... More >>

Cookie Showdown: Adulterated Mother-in-Law Macaroons

​ Cookie exchanges are a staple at every holiday office party, including the offices of Chow Bella. But the contributors to this blog are a cutthroat bunch, and with an inordinate amount of trash talk thrown about, our cookie exchange quickly became a cookie showdown. Check back here each da ... More >>

Big Brains: Check Out the Talented Finalists for Our First-Ever Awards for Emerging Creatives

Ask the Critic: Do You Get Free Food?

New acquaintances are always curious about the life of a food critic, and in particular, the supposed glamour that comes with the job. I can't tell you how many times people have asked me about getting free food.The truth is, I go out anonymously, and I always pay for meals I'm reviewing, using a co ... More >>

Thin Mint Showdown: Thin Mint Pudding Cup

Jonathan MacNamaraIt's what's on the inside that counts...​One can never have enough Thin Mints. At least that's what we thought until Managing Editor Amy Silverman brought in a dozen unsold boxes to a recent Chow Bella meeting. If one must make lemonade when life hands one lemons, we theorize ... More >>

Club Candids: Phoenix Fashion Week Spring Preview at the W Hotel

Adriane GoetzIn their spring best at the W Hotel in Scottsdale.​Phoenix Fashion Week 2010 kicked off Thursday night at the W Hotel in Scottsdale. Fashionable folks sipped pricey cocktails as they waited (and waited ... see Wynter Holden's review) for the show to begin. Check out the scene in o ... More >>

And the Caramelpalooza Winners Are....

Heather Hales​​As far as we're concerned, everyone was a winner Friday night -- sampling a tasty, creative assortment of caramels under the stars in central Phoenix, as Chow Bella and Smeeks celebrated our first-ever Caramelpalooza. Wynter Holden will parse the competition later this week i ... More >>

Caramelpalooza Winners to be Announced Monday

​Big, chewy thanks to the chefs who came out last night to make our first Chow Bella event -- Caramelpalooza,co-sponsored by Smeeks -- a sweet success. (And showers of caramels on the fine folks from Smeeks, who worked so hard to help us make it all happen.)We'll announce the winners Monday here o ... More >>

10 Things Under $10 This Weekend: Jersey Shore Parties, Pin-up Girls, T-Pain, and More

www.mtv.comGet a fake bake like Angelina "Jolie" Pivarnick at Sandbar's Jersey Shore party tonight.​Colorful doesn't even begin to describe the eclectic array of inexpensive events on tap for this weekend. There's a candy-themed dance party at Afterlife that's guaranteed to satisfy your sweet to ... More >>

Arty Girl: SMoCA, ASU Art Museum, and the Heard Museum Go Off Tonight

http://www.flickr.com/photos/sunshinecity/2337456192/Please, take your time to think about this important decision.​Life's full of tough choices.Tonight, Valley art enthusiasts have their pick of the litter with three big events happening at three different museums across town: Scottsdale Museum o ... More >>

Stuffing Showdown: And the Winner Is . . .

​One week ago, we gave you the first installment of daily posts in our special Stuffing Showdown, and now I'm here as the so-called celebrity judge to tell you which one of our contributors came up with the tastiest rendition of Thanksgiving stuffing. But I'm not going to tell you the winne ... More >>

10 Things Under $10 This Thanksgiving Weekend

The Limit Club is scheduled to perform on Friday at The Firehouse in downtown Phoenix.​Turkey Day is almost upon us, which means there's five straight nights of drinking and debauchery ahead. There's gonna be plenty of fun and frolicking to be had starting tonight through Sunday, with much of it h ... More >>

"Polychromic Outthrusts" at Eye Lounge Demonstrates Lisa Marie Sipe's Waxing Talent

10 Things Under $10 This Weekend: Pirates, Psychobillies, and Creepy Bunnies

The Bay Area's Nobunny will terrorize the Trunk Space on Saturday night. There are gonna be two kinds of people in the Valley this weekend: Those who can afford to go to Fall Frenzy, and those who can't. Given the $50-$60 price tag for tickets, its to be expected that a few thrifty types might consi ... More >>

What's On Tap for This Weekend's Art Detour: Fixed-gear Bikers, Devilish Artists, and More

The fixed-gear documentary Death Pedal is scheduled to be screened at Grandiose.

What's On Tap for Tonight's First Friday: UFOs, Back Ted N-Ted, and DJs galore

Close encounters of the weird kind are scheduled to take place at tonight's First Friday. Someone better call in Mulder and Scully, because there's gonna be a UFO sighting going down during tonight's First Friday in downtown Phoenix. Or at least, that's what the people at the Firehouse (1015 ... More >>

Countdown to Crave Arizona

In the wake of the tens of thousands of people who flooded into the Scottsdale Civic Plaza this past weekend for the Scottsdale Culinary Festival (stay tuned for Jonathan McNamara and Wynter Holden's coverage on Chow Bella today), it's time to look to the other side of summer for the next big food-c ... More >>

Shop PHX

Arty Girl: SMoCA's Seriously Funny Stuff

Being the avid New Times reader that you undoubtedly are (oh, you!), you've probably already heard of the opening of "Seriously Funny" tonight at Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art. If you haven't, just click here so my fellow writer, Wynter Holden, can fill you in.So, yes, there's an opening ton ... More >>

Bounty Hunter: Make a Twilight Xmas Tree (for enjoying or destroying)

If you're like me, then you take your tree-decorating seriously. When I saw the holiday themes out this year (if you haven't noticed, ornaments come and go in cycles) I was less than thrilled. Snowflakes? zzZZZZ. A lodge-style moose, lanterns and flannel ornaments? Seriously, does this look li ... More >>

Bounty Hunter: Buy stuff today, get karma points

This time of year, there's a lot of talk about thinking of others instead of yourself. Whether it's shopping for the perfect holiday present for your sweetie or picking an angel off the Salvation Army tree, there really is something to be said for the joy of giving. Aww, can't you just smell the...h ... More >>

The Skinny: Battle of the Bulge at Tempe Marketplace

Veggie Boy: Phoenicia Cafe

This Weekend: First Friday, SMoCA and Haunt of the Living Dead

Podcast: Love Phoenix or Leave Phoenix Continued

Summer Guide 2008

Letters From the Issue of Thursday, November 23, 2006

Art Scene

Current exhibitions, installations, and shows

Slam Bang

Video artists of resistance

See Fido Fetch

Big dog flight at Encanto

Bite Me

Bloody good show

This Year's Models

Fast cars & chicks at Cricket

Wing Ding

Learning to 'fly

Flight Club

Stair masters do battle at Arizona Center

Sin-sational

BlackMoods rising

Give Peace a Trance

Good vibrations in Tucson

Rolling Tombstones

Texas trio back from the dead

Growing Paints

The art of Seduce

New Waves

Seismic surfs the '60s

Hot Dogs

Dachshunds relish dash for charity cash

Geek Chic

Get your game on at HexaCon 15

Space Cases

Trekkies make a splash at Federation Pool Party